ADVICE & OPINION
REMOTE CONTROL
FMJ AIMS TO SUPPORT TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN THE FM MARKET
John Roe, Sales Director at Promptus explains the use of remote monitoring in helping FMs
manage sites
There are constant advancements
in how FMs can use Remote
Monitoring (RM) services for their
site(s) by o ering users the ability
to gain insight into a machine
and / or equipment health status,
performance, and behaviour
patterns. This is typically achieved
through a combination of Internet of
Things (IoT) technology and cloudbased
computing, all done from a
considerable distance, hence the
“remote”.
RM services can be broken into a series
of steps, the first being Data Collection,
where devices periodically capture the
required information, streaming this
data instantly. Access and management
of data is where users can visit an
online cloud-based portal to analyse
information and alter elements of site
alerts, as well as control site systems and
reports. The user can access the portal
from anywhere via internet connection.
GROWTH OF RM
The emergence of RM for FMs has
accelerated in the past few years, with 67
per cent of UK FM businesses increasing
their IoT and technology investments
to boost e iciency. This in turn enables
the responsible individuals to monitor
assets and spaces through sensors
that transmit information for real-time,
16 MAY 2022
remote management.
The need to manage various scales of
facilities brings several responsibilities,
such as stock management and
access control. Services can be
made completely bespoke to a
specific workplace depending on the
requirements.
There are a multitude of ways FMs can
use RM. For example, a popular service
over the past couple of years has been
sensors that can monitor air quality,
which allows the responsible facility
management individual to reduce the
spread of COVID-19 in their spaces.
FMs can obtain constant and
transparent data through RM sensors
and therefore better understand the
condition of their managed assets. When
data is clearly displayed in an online
portal, this allows for analysis of the
facility environment, and in turn higher
operational e iciency through conditionbased
maintenance.
RM can bring a number of benefits for
facility managers;
1. Cost savings with predictable payback
in saved labour time
RM of assets is a key requirement for
the implementation of conditionbased
maintenance. Through RM, you
can analyse data and information of
assets and receive maintenance works
recommendations without even having
to visit the building or consult anyone.
Investment in IoT is likely to bring
returns on investment in less than two
years.
Furthermore, the data obtained,
from a couple of devices to thousands,
allows for an e ective predictive
maintenance approach. This in turn
means equipment quality is optimised
and the downtime of assets is limited.
2. Systems monitored 24/7
FMs o en own or manage assets
that are sensitive to environmental
conditions, such as temperaturesensitive
products like food fridges.
The 24/7 aspect allows managers
to maintain excellent conditions or
enhance security, with services such as
CCTV monitoring providing alerts.
3. ‘No Touch’ Management supports
infection control
RM allows FMs to monitor and analyse
indoor and outdoor air quality, or use
UV light to detect issues. Improving
the health and wellbeing of spaces
directly impacts productivity and
energy e iciency. An online cloud can
provide alerts, advanced analytics, and
reporting. Furthermore, the FM can
compare and export data and receive
tips to reduce indoor air hazards,
optimise ventilation and save on energy
costs.
4. Enhanced environmental benefits
including energy savings and
improved asset life cycle
RM of spaces is key to optimising energy
consumption and e iciency. Remote
data collection can be used to ensure
systems such as air conditioning,
emergency lights or auto flushing
units are operating to their maximum
capability.
This reduces the likelihood of
equipment wear and sudden need for
replacement, as well as lowering energy
bills. RM boosts the environmental
performance of buildings and enables
FMs to implement e ective sustainability
programs.
5. Minimises disruption to sta ,
visitors and building users
RM significantly reduces the number
of personnel that must be deployed in
physical locations, for means such as
testing and inspections. This reduction
of labour allows managers to maximise
the site for other uses. FMs can also
have more flexibility in planning future
processes.
6. Varying solutions depending on
facility type and size
RM allows FMs to monitor the use
of di erent areas more e ectively.
Managers can take advantage of a wide
range of data on space usage, and
ensure these areas are utilised to their
maximum potential and wastage is
reduced.
7. System automated pro-active
compliance recommendations,
suggestions and alerts
Monitoring enables FMs to combine
information about various assets and
processes, regardless of time due to
the 24/7 feature, and regardless of
the location of the assets as users can
access from anywhere. This gives the
responsible person a transparent view of
their operations from top to bottom. The
FM can gain real-time visibility on the
status of assets and services.
It is important that users can quickly
detect and respond to issues that
require attention and apply mitigation
plans without delay. By using RM,
FMs can react fast to any problems,
o en reducing costs by preventing
complications from escalating.
www.promptusltd.com
FAST FACTS
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